The new FX series is Dunlop’s competitor to the popular Babolat Pure Drive and Yonex Ezone racquets. Known for its signature blue and black aesthetic, the new generation is endorsed by British star Jack Draper.
The mission of the FX line remains clear: “Power On.” However, this latest version focuses heavily on balancing that raw speed with improved feel and a more consistent sweet spot.
What’s New? Key Technologies
Dunlop has introduced several technical updates to make these racquets more user-friendly without losing their aggressive edge:
- Power Boost+ Frame Geometry: The frame shape has been tweaked with a brand-new mold. It features a stiffer face for higher ball speed, but a more flexible shaft to ensure the racquet doesn’t feel like a “board” in your hands.
- Power Wave Grommets: Look closely at the grommets at 3 and 9 o’clock; they now have a wave-like pattern. This allows the strings to move more freely, expanding the sweet spot and making your off-center hits feel much more controlled.
- Vibroshield: A new damping material placed in the shaft and frame helps filter out harsh vibrations, making this generation more “arm-friendly” than previous stiff power racquets.
- Sonic Core with Infinergy: This returning fan-favorite technology (developed with BASF) remains in the upper part of the hoop to provide a comfortable, elastic feel upon impact.
| Model | Head Size | Weight (Unstrung) | Best For |
| FX 500 Tour | 98 sq. in. | 305g | Advanced players wanting power with surgical precision. |
| FX 500 | 100 sq. in. | 300g | The “all-rounder” for intermediate to advanced players. |
| FX 500 LS | 100 sq. in. | 285g | Intermediate players who want a lighter, faster swing. |
| FX 500 Lite | 100 sq. in. | 270g | Improving players or juniors moving to their first adult frame. |
| FX 500 Super Lite | 100 sq. in. | 255g | Beginners or those seeking maximum maneuverability. |
We did test these racquets in a prototype cosmetic and you can find the video review of the Dunlop FX 500 and Dunlop FX 500 Tour on our YouTube channel.
Let’s summarize what we talk about in our video review below.
Dunlop FX 500 Review (2025)
| Head Size: | 100 in / 645 cm |
| Length: | 27in / 68,5cm |
| Strung Weight: | 318g / 11,2oz |
| Unstrung Weight: | 300g/10,6oz |
| Balance: | 33,02cm / 4 pts HL |
| Unstrung Balance: | 32cm/7 pts HL |
| Swingweight: | 320 |
| Stiffness: | 68 |
| Beam Width: | 23mm / 26mm / 23mm |
| Composition: | Sonic Core Infinergy/Graphite |
| Racket Colours: | Blue |
| Grip Type: | Dunlop Synthetic |
| String Pattern: | 16 Mains / 19 Crosses Mains skip: 7T,9T,7H,9H |
The Dunlop FX 500 was always the gem of the line to me. Sure, the 500 Tour gives you more control and might appeal to pro players like Popyrin more, but I always felt like that frame was a little unstable and needed customization. The Dunlop FX 500 is good to go straight out of the box (as long as you put strings on it, lol).
This racquet captured the attention of me (Jonas) and my fellow play-testers (former D1 player and UTR 10 and above). We all preferred it over the Tour version, although there was a strong consensus that this was the best Dunlop FX racquet yet. I think they have kept improving this line since generation 1 and it is now a real competitor to the more popular brands’ options.
The stability is improved and the power comes easy with this one. It feels relatively comfortable as well, but as with most power racquets, if you string 55 lbs / 25 kg with stiff poly like Dunlop Explosive Spin or Babolat RPM Blast, it will be very stiff. Pros can usually handle it, but most amateurs might find it too harsh.
In short: good power and stability. Will be too much power for some, difficult to see it not being enough. The control is improved over the previous generation and the feel is slightly better too. Overall, a solid competitor to the Pure Drive or Ezone 100.
Dunlop FX 500 Tour Review (2025)
| Head Size: | 98 in / 632 cm |
| Length: | 27in / 68,5cm |
| Strung Weight: | 323g / 11,4oz |
| Unstrung Weight: | 305g /10,8oz |
| Balance: | 32,49cm / 6 pts HL |
| Unstrung Balance: | 31,5cm/9 pts HL |
| Swingweight: | 322 |
| Stiffness: | 65 |
| Beam Width: | 21mm / 23mm / 21mm |
| Composition: | Sonic Core Infinergy/Graphite |
| Racket Colours: | Blue |
| Grip Type: | Dunlop Synthetic |
| String Pattern: | 16 Mains / 19 Crosses Mains skip: 7T,9T,7H,9H |
The 500 Tour received a similar positive update to the FX 500. A more forgiving sweet spot, improved feel, a bit better stability. It still feels a tad low on power and stability as the swing weight in stock form is more focused on speed of swing. This gives you room to customize and add a little lead tape in the hoop. When I added about two grams at 12, I felt like the racquet played much better.
The 500 Tour swings faster but is less forgiving. Our play-testers felt it was just easier to play with the 100 sq inch version thanks to the increase in power and larger sweet spot. The 500 Tour requires you to be more precise and to swing faster. But if you like the Aero 98, this one has some similarities to that racquet.
I started liking the 500 Tour the most, but enjoyed the free power and ease of use of the 100 more towards the end and that would be the most logical choice for 85% of tennis players.
Summary and where to buy it
The 2026 Dunlop FX range isn’t just about hitting the ball harder; it’s about hitting it more consistently. By softening the feel and widening the sweet spot, Dunlop has created a “power” racquet that feels remarkably refined. If you enjoyed the previous FX 500 but found it a bit “crisp” or stiff, this update is exactly what you’ve been waiting for.
Find it available now via these links at our partners; Tennis Warehouse (North America), Tennis Warehouse Europe (use code TNERD10 for 10% off your order) or at Tennis Only (Australia). We also recommend heading over to the Dunlop racquet store on Amazon where they feature many models.
You can also read our review of the Dunlop FX 500 V2 racquet where we playtested this previous version.
